Belt tightener



Jan. 19, 1932. Q M MCvRIAvEN 1,841,834

BELT TIGHTENER Filed nay s, 1930 Patented Jan. A19, 1932 UNITED STATES CHARLES M. MCRAVEN, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA BELT TIGHTENER AppIicaton led May 9, 1930.A Serial No. 451,032. f

My invention relates to improvements in belt tighteners, particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the band wheel belt of well pumping apparatus. o

It is an object of the invention to provide a devicek of the above-mentioned character which will automatically take up the slack ot the belt and exert a constant pressure on the belt at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device in use Elig. 2 is a side elevation view of the device, partly in longitudinal section, and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the same.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes a vertical post mounted in a con crete base 6, the top of the base being covered by a metal plate 7 secured to the base by bolts 8, through which the post extends. The upper end 9 of the post is reduced forming the shoulder 10 which supports the bearing plate '11. Extending vlaterally from the upper end of the post is .a horizontal arm l2 formed from channel iron, the outer end of the arm having a vertical spindle 13 mounted on its top face on which the idler pulley 14 is journaled. The inner end of the arm 12 is fitted over the reduced end of the post and has a sleeve 15 depending from the underside of the arm, which is connected to the arm by bolts 16 which extend through the arm and flange 17 surrounding the sleeve. Ball bear?` ings 1S are provided between the arm and bearing plate 11, rotatably supporting the arm on the post `and roller bearings 19-are disposed between the post and sleeve beneath the bearing plate, being held within the sleeve by the collar 20 mounted on the post andsecured in place by the set screw 21. The arm 12 is secured upon the post by the bearing cap 22 which is secured to the post by the bolt 23 .and holds the ball bearings 21 in bearing relation to the top face of the arm. A coil spring 25 is mounted on the post directly below the collar 2O having one end secured to the post, as at 26, and its opposite end secured to the lug 27 depending from the sleeve 15, as at`28. A bearing sleeve 29 is mounted on the lower end of the post above the plate 7 having roller bearings 30 therein which are held in place by the collar 31 secured on the post by the set -screws 32. An angularly disposed brace bar 33, alsov formed of channel iron, extends between the bearing sleeve 29 and arm 12, its lower endV being welded to the sleeve, and its upper end being secured to the underside of the arm by. bolts 34:. Depending from the underside of the arm 12, adjacent its outer end is an eyebolt 35, to which a cable may be attached for pulling the arm 12, to an inoperative position, or in the direction'which the arm is moved by the spring 25, to increase the pressure of the idler pulley on the belt, when desired. The base Gris positioned in theground adjacent the belt 36 or' the band wheel 37, so that the karm 12 extends beneath the belt, as clearly shownin Fig. 1. Y,

In operation, the arm 12 supporting the idler pulley 14 is turned on the post 5, against the tension of the coil spring 25, before the4 be t 36 is placed around the idler pulley Upon release of the arm, the tension of the coil spring turns the arm so that the idler pulley presses against the belt taking up the` slack and thereafter, holds the belt tight by exerting a constant pressure on the belt. The support for the idler pulley is sturdily constructed so as to withstand the shocks and strains to which it is subjected while performing the function for which it is adapted. It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is t be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the inwentonaonthe scope offthe subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A belt tightener comprising a base,.a vertical post mounted in said base, a horizontal arm having one endy rotatably-mount. zo ed on said post, an idler pulley mounted imm.: horizontaluplane on the outer end lof ssii-)annua brace barhaving one end con@l nbdtossaid arm and its opposite end rotshblyfmmmted onxsaidk post and a.coil

msprngimounted onsaid post having Yone end cdmzcted' tousaidpost and its opposite end'l connectadto said aun.

23.Awbelt :tightener comprising. a .base7 a velicalpt-'mounted in said base, a bearing ,plltemountedon the upper end of said post,

avhorzontal. arm. having one end fitted over.

snide ost-having a depending'sleeve sur rolmdping said post,bal1 bearings betweenthe beuringqplaieland arm, roller bearings bewtvllntheisleeve and post, ay bearingicap mounted onLtheupper end of said-post, an

idknpuliey mounted on the outer endl of said amil! azhorizontalplane, and a coil spring.

meultedon said post having one end con-. mnecteto said post and its opposite end con nestedfte saidsleeve.

33 `Amberlt"tightener comprising a base .a.

vertkalfpostimounted in said base, a horizontai 'anmzhaving a depending sleeve at one rendendo ted to fit over the upper end of said bearings mounted in said sleeve ro mlsupporting said arm on said postan.

idlmezpullny` mounted inv a horizontal plane onJtheI-outer .end of said arm, abrace bar Mrhlvingwne end connected to said arm and its opp'oalitnefendy rotatably lmounted on said post,

and moil'spring mounted on said post having Olofiiiail bxwefbaradapted to be mounted on-v said post, and a coil spring mounted on said post having one end connected to the post and its opposite end connected to said sleeve. 5. A belt tightener comprising a fixed post, an arm extending laterally from said post and rotatably mounted thereon, an idler pulley mounted on the outer end of said arm, a brace bar having one end connected to said arm and its opposite end rotatably mounted on said post and a coil spring mounted on said post having one end connected to said post -and vits opposite end connected to said arm..

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

CHARLES M. MCRAVEN. 

